The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-05-11
ELEAZER C. SHAW.
His Eightieth Birthday Commence
rated by His Brother Merchants.

Mr.. Eleazer G. Shaw, of the firm of Shaw,
| Son & Hawkes., was so years old yesterday.
Mr.. Shaw has been prominent merchant of
Portland for forty years, having during that
time been in business on Fore and CONNER
cal streets. Mr.. Shaw's brother merchants
wished to show their respect and esteem for
him and accordingly united in signing the
following paper:
ELEAZER C. SHAW.
May 10, 1907. Nav N 1887
We, the undersigned, merchants on Com
merclal street, Portland. Maine, wishing to
express our kind regard for and appreciation
OF Eleazer c. Shaw, his standing as mer-
| cnant and as an honorable man among us,
| who, this day, May 10, 1887, is so years of
| age, contribute our mite" as small token
| which we present to him, wishing him
health and many years with us;
| Charles j. Chapman. Smonton g. Randall
| Charles b. vaTney a Co., Eben Corey Il Co.,
George Milliken, William L. Alden,
| c. w. Belknap q Co., Dana & Co.,
| d. w. True Il Co., Woodbury. a. Latham,
| John IL. Vose Cousens & Tomlinson
Elias Thomas g. Co., c. o. Haskell,
George - HUNT Ill. Ill. Jones,
Conant s Patrick, Howes, Hilton g. Harris,
sylvester Mari, Shaw, Hammond 4
Iwltchell, Champlin s. Carney,
70; w. G. Soule,
Fletcher Y Co., VIM. G.. Davis
Jonn A; Emery, S. A. & j. II. True,
a ".
II. :. Melcher s. CO., Kensell g. Tabor,
Il. Nj. Steadman q Co., Simeon Shurtleif
George o. X. Cram.
At 10 O'Clock yesterday forenoon the sign
ers Of the above paper having previously
met in the store of d. w. True Il Co., called
in body upon Mr.. Shaw at his store. Mr.
Shaw was entirely surprised by this unex-
pected visit but received his callers hospita-
bly,. Then when the company had gathered
around Mr. Shaw, Mr.. Willard II. Wood
bury, of the firm of Woodbury. & Latham,
spoke as follows:
This is Arbor day, but we are here not to
plant trees, but to cane you. We, your
friends and neighbors in business, have
| stepped in to congratulate you upon this
| your S0th anniversary. and also to congratu-
late ourselves that we have SO long had the
pleasure OF witnessing you going out and
coming in. Whatever may have been said
III regard to the rest of us, how often, yes,
how often have we heard the remark, "you
have among you one merchant of strict in
tegrity and honor" While we congratulate
you upon whatever financial success may
have attended you in your business career,
we would above all congratulate you upon
the reputation you have earned as gentle
man OF honor. We do not present you with the
cane because you need it on account of pres
ent inti1mities but that you may when old,
use 1t in your daily walks as a staff and pro-
tectl0n. With these few remarks we leave
you, wishing you many years of health and
prosperity.
Mr.. Shaw showed much feeling in express
ing his thanks and the few words which he
said were appropriate to the occasion.
Rev. William E. Gibbs, formerly of Con-
gress Square church, was present and was
invited to make remarks. He responded ex-
pressing his cordial esteem for Mr.. Shaw and
the pleasure he took in participating in the
celebration of his S0th birthday.
The cane is an elegant piece of workman
ship and was obtained from William Senter
& Co. 1t is made Of ebony and has solid
gold head, deliberately chased. On the head
was engraved:
Presented to
EleaZer G. Shaw,
by his Merchant Friends.
on Commercial street.
May 10, 1887,
80 years.
The gentlemen stated to Mr.. Shaw that
they should take possession of his old cane
and that hereafter he must carry the new one
every day in all kinds of weather, both sum-
mer and winter.